Koppers · Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper
1000' 40# Butcher Paper Rolls
Grease-resistant butcher paper likely contains PFAS; seek uncoated alternative.
Butcher paper requires grease resistance, typically achieved with PFAS coatings. Koppers provides no PFAS disclosure. Uncoated kraft paper is a safer option for food contact.
The safe swap
Hardin Simmons
Gordon Paper Butcher Paper
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
kraft paper with grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Koppers 40# butcher paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a grease-resistant chemical coating applied to one or both sides. The '40#' weight designation indicates thickness suitable for wrapping wet/fatty meats without soaking through. The grease resistance almost certainly derives from fluorochemical coatings (PFAS-based), which are the standard industrial method for preventing oil penetration in food-contact papers. Uncoated kraft paper lacks this barrier and fails quickly with fatty products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Koppers (a large forest-products manufacturer) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or adoption of PFAS-free alternatives for its butcher paper line based on available labeling and corporate statements. The company has not signed major PFAS-reduction pledges and does not advertise PFAS-free certification for this product. Koppers maintains general food-safety compliance but offers no transparency on fluorochemical use or phase-out timelines.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial grease-resistant butcher papers (Koppers, Sysco, Deli Paper suppliers) rely on PFAS coatings because non-PFAS grease barriers are significantly more expensive and less durable. Uncoated kraft rolls are cheaper and PFAS-free but require double-wrapping or plastic backing for fatty meats. A small number of manufacturers (e.g., some organic/specialty suppliers) offer PFAS-free alternatives at 2-3x the price; these use wax or silicone-based barriers with mixed durability reports.
If you buy it
Avoid direct contact between the coated side and raw meat for extended periods (over 24 hours in refrigeration); PFAS migration into food is low but increases with heat and fat content. Do not use this paper in the oven or near direct heat (e.g., smoker). Replace rolls when coating shows cracks, peeling, or loss of water-repellency. If PFAS exposure is a health priority for your household, source uncoated kraft or certified PFAS-free alternatives, even at higher cost.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Chlorine/sulfur bleaching residues in kraft pulp
Industrial kraft paper may contain trace chlorine dioxide or chlorate from pulp processing. No recalls or contamination reports exist for Koppers butcher paper; residues at this level are not recognized as a food-safety concern by FDA.
Ink or printing contaminants (if printed)
Plain Koppers rolls are unprinted. If custom-printed versions are purchased, verify printer compliance with food-contact regulations; some third-party printing shops may use non-food-grade inks.
Migration of coating additives into fatty foods
Grease-resistant coatings may include slip agents, pigments, or stabilizers beyond PFAS. While regulated for direct food contact, migration into high-fat meats (e.g., bacon, fatty cuts) over extended storage is theoretically possible, though not documented for Koppers products.
Mold or microbial growth if stored damp
Kraft paper absorbs moisture and is susceptible to mold if rolls are stored in humid conditions (>70% RH) or exposed to water. Inspect rolls before use; discard if spots, odor, or discoloration appear.
Fiber shedding or particulate transfer to food
Well-made kraft paper does not shed fibers under normal use. Koppers products meet industrial standards for intact surface finish; risk is negligible unless paper is damaged or abraded during handling.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper
Hardin Simmons
Gordon Paper Butcher Paper
kraft paper, bleached sulfate pulp
Lower concern; uncoated butcher paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Hardin Simmons
Durable Packaging White Butcher Paper Roll
bleached kraft paper, likely uncoated
Lower concern. Standard butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Deli King
Butcher Paper King Kraft Paper 36" x 500 ft
Kraft paper, unbleached cellulose
Lower concern. Kraft paper is inherently PFAS-free by composition.
⚠Risky category by default
More grease-resistant butcher paper grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.